L-3 Wins US NAVSEA Photonics Mast Contract

L-3 Communications announced Tuesday that its electro-optics business, L-3 KEO, has won a $48.7 million contract from the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) to develop a new, slimmer version of its photonics mast for the Block 4 Low Profile Photonics Mast (LPPM) program for use on Virginia-class submarines.

As per the contract, L-3 KEO will perform engineering and design work for the lower-profile mast during the first year, with options to produce up to 29 photonics masts over a subsequent four-year period, as well as engineering services and provisioning item orders with a contract maximum ceiling value of $157 million.

The non hull-penetrating LPPM provides a sleek profile that significantly reduces the signature of the periscope, making it less identifiable as a US Navy submarine because it appears similar to existing periscopes.